Imported food sampling - approximately 50% of food offered for sale in the UK is imported. The Food Standards Agency requires all local authorities to take steps to ensure imported food has been legally introduced and that it is safe for the consumer. Where appropriate, imported food will be included in the sampling programme.

What food is sampled?

Any food, including drink products, that is produced, handled, or sold within the Eden district can be sampled.

In addition, environmental samples, such as environmental swabs of areas used for food preparation, can be taken.

How are food samples taken?

Samples can be obtained in two ways. The first way is for an officer from environmental health to purchase the samples as a regular customer, unannounced to the premises.

Alternatively, the officer would identify themselves to the premises before taking the samples. This way allows the officer to obtain further details about the sample and its storage conditions, or collect samples that otherwise would be difficult to collect, such as an environmental swab from a food preparation area.

The samples are then submitted to a Public Health England laboratory for microbiological examination.

What happens to the food samples next?

In the event of any sample results being returned which do not comply with statutory requirements or HPA guidance, we will consider whether informal or formal action is necessary and submit further laboratory samples as appropriate to help identify where a problem may have occurred.

Food sampling history

A table showing the number of food samples taken between 2009 and 2016: